Reports about Apple's anticipated wearable wrist-borne device continue to take shape, with the latest details claiming the product will launch this fall loaded with sensors and coming in multiple screen sizes.

The alleged details on Apple's so-called "iWatch," credited to the usual people familiar with the matter, were published on Friday by The Wall Street Journal. According to the publication, Apple's anticipated device will include more than 10 sensors, including ones to track health and fitness.

"Apple aims to address an overarching criticism of existing smart watches that they fail to provide functions significantly different from that of a smartphone," reporters Eva Dou and Lorraine Luk wrote.

In addition, the report said the alleged "iWatch" will come in multiple screen sizes. The product is rumored to launch as soon as October, and Quanta Computer is expected to build between 10 million and 15 million units by the end of the year.

The details come on the heels of a report from Reuterson Thursday that also claimed the iWatch will launch this fall, and added that it will have a "slightly rectangular" touchscreen display. That report suggested that the device would come in just one screen size of 2.5 inches, however.

Apple is said to be planning a media event for this October where it's expected to introduce the company's "first wearable device," which is widely believed to be a wrist-worn connected device. The "iWatch" is believed to tap into the new HealthKit tools for developers that Apple will include in the forthcoming iOS 8 mobile operating system, which is currently available in beta for testing.

Other alleged features of the "iWatch" include wireless charging that could allow a port-less design, and the use of flexible OLED displays that could allow Apple to introduce unique designs not possible with traditional LCD panels.

I'm really hoping this device has stand alone functionality. Not sure how much I'd use it if I had to have my phone with me in order for it to work. But if the goal is for it to provide functionality that doesn't already exist with a smartphone then it could be game changing. Most of the Android Wear stuff seems to me mimicking functionality already present on your phone.

Can some put together a list of all the prediction for this and who is making them so we know who have no clue when apple finally release new products this fall. This whole guessing is worse then when it was rumor Apple was coming out with a phone.

I'm really hoping this device has stand alone functionality. Not sure how much I'd use it if I had to have my phone with me in order for it to work. But if the goal is for it to provide functionality that doesn't already exist with a smartphone then it could be game changing. Most of the Android Wear stuff seems to me mimicking functionality already present on your phone.

I'm really hoping this device has stand alone functionality. Not sure how much I'd use it if I had to have my phone with me in order for it to work. But if the goal is for it to provide functionality that doesn't already exist with a smartphone then it could be game changing. Most of the Android Wear stuff seems to me mimicking functionality already present on your phone.

Agree. I was thinking the new ability to make and receive phone calls with Mac or iPad (with your phone on you) would be perfect for iWatch - if it were my watch 'on' me lol, instead of my phone.

Usability....price... in a market already over flooded with brands and models so much there is almost market saturation, and Apple is coming with a watch ! yeah right!

I remember years ago the Apple I-TV rumours and market speculations, the same situation on the markets as with watches, price margins and dozens of brands in all flavours.

Steve Jobs had ‘found the answer’ for breaking into this market...what happened ? Nothing!

In my opinion, at this moment Apple is surely working on some nice niche products...but an I-watch in 2014? no way ! There is simply NO demand for this and the technology is not ready yet, take batteries for ex. so much power needed to feed all this sensor-date, the most advanced tech watches like Samsung/Sony cannot hold out 24 hours, even with ‘wireless’ charging the drain is too high.

Because this is a rumour site, I make my own predictions :-)

2015 :break-thru of medical integration in more IOS devices.

2016 :possible launch of thru wearable devices with foldable OLED screens etc.and battery technology able to keep the device running for a week without disconnect of charging.

Imagine if they could cram all 10 sensors in to a pair of EarPods? Then it wouldn't even need a bluetooth transmitter to your phone, just plug it in in place of your normal exercise EarPods.

But probably it would have to go in to the Lightning port instead to transfer the sensor data. Wasn't there a rumour recently about Apple making Lightning earphones?

There was, and I do see a path for certain sensors in the headphone phones for at least your temperature, and perhaps hydration, pulse rate and blood sugar.

PS: I do somewhat agree with @schlack about the sensors reporting to the phone but there has to be some sort of independent use for a wristwork device, like telling time and some other simple features typically found on a watch. An OLED display that is black with an ultra-thin Helvetica Neue dial that would turn on when you raise your wrist would be perfect for me.

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wish it would have no screen, and just be a flexible band of sensors that report to my iphone...and make it so thin that I don't even know I'm wearing it.

I think this depends on how Apple is approaching the iWatch. If they want to make a standalone device that works without an iPhone, it won't be very useful without a screen. If they want it to be just an iPhone accessory, then a screen is not as important. It can just record information and send it to the iPhone/iPad.

There was, and I do see a path for certain sensors in the headphone phones for at least your temperature, and perhaps hydration, pulse rate and blood sugar.

PS: I do somewhat agree with @schlack about the sensors reporting to the phone but there has to be some sort of independent use for a wristwork device, like telling time and some other simple features typically found on a watch. An OLED display that is black with an ultra-thin Helvetica Neue dial that would turn on when you raise your wrist would be perfect for me.

I think long run the sensors will just be in our clothes. That is the logical place, it is close to your body, and little sensors will be so cheap they can be sewn in, and no great loss if they are never used. But we are not there yet so it will have to be in a wristwatch or earphones or something a bit more substantial than clothes. Well, maybe shoes are the one thing that could be done today.

Yes, there are some traditional features of watches that have value, but if the sensors migrated elsewhere, I'm not sure those features would be compelling on their own. I means there are clocks everywhere these days.

There was, and I do see a path for certain sensors in the headphone phones for at least your temperature, and perhaps hydration, pulse rate and blood sugar.

PS: I do somewhat agree with @schlack about the sensors reporting to the phone but there has to be some sort of independent use for a wristwork device, like telling time and some other simple features typically found on a watch. An OLED display that is black with an ultra-thin Helvetica Neue dial that would turn on when you raise your wrist would be perfect for me.

blood sugar is still a bit far, and your ear canal is probably not suitable for it.

Pulse OX may be possible (reflectively, although that is not as accurate as the pass thru at the finger), and that's a big seller for the COPD crowd.

The other is Blood Pressure. Which is one of the big 4 (Blood sugar, HR, BP, Temp) for real time monitoring.

...and in the context of this device, Apple would not, could not, get away with calling some of these sensors. Of course, Apple isn't a party to the conversation, the device might include 5 body condition sensors and the 5 current ones you've listed.

I think long run the sensors will all just be in our clothes. That is the logical place, it is close to your body, and little sensors will be so cheap they can be sewn in, and no great loss if they are never used. But we are not there yet so it will have to be in a wristwatch or earphones or something a bit more substantial than clothes. Well, maybe shoes are the one thing that could be done today.

Yes, there are some traditional features of watches that have value, but if the sensors migrated elsewhere, I'm not sure those features would be compelling on their own. I means there are clocks everywhere these days.

The watch/earphone advantage, short and long term is the 'fixed' location and pressure. Even duplication is not a great solution: Having 7 blood pressure sensors (or temp) in a shirt is great if 5 aren't connected, but unless you're doing some pretty complex math, the pressure at your neck is different than your waist, under your arm, or at your wrist.

knowing it's on your wrist (or in your ear), and always there, give you a better longitudinal (relative ups and downs), and a calculated offset (wrist skin temps will be closer to 73deg, ear temps, closer to 98.6) for diagnostic purposes.

Only 10+ sensors for the Apple wearable? Where's the innovation in that? I'm fairly certain the Galaxy Gear 3 will have at least 20 sensors and be capable of jolting you back to life after you suffer a heart attack. It's no wonder Apple is struggling for survival. Tim Cook isn't creative enough. The Apple wearable would have had full life-support capabilities if Steve Jobs were alive. Total body stasis and intelligent nano-bot injection capabilities. 10+ sensors is so yawn-worthy. If it can't accurately tell me my life-span, then what good is it? Wall Street is really going to be disappointed if Apple can only sell about 5 million of these digital wrist-toys by the end of the year.

Imagine if they could cram all 10 sensors in to a pair of EarPods? Then it wouldn't even need a bluetooth transmitter to your phone, just plug it in in place of your normal exercise EarPods.

But probably it would have to go in to the Lightning port instead to transfer the sensor data. Wasn't there a rumour recently about Apple making Lightning earphones?

If the sensors were in EarPods, the functionality would be enhanced, dramatically in some respects. I believe that one of the biggest drivers of child visits to GPs in the US is ear infection. EarPods could be used to detect this using activated polymers and sense ear pressure to ensure that music isn't played too loudly - a serious concern for young people in a connected age. However, this would be an ancillary system rather than a constantly worn iWatch. Definitely a place for such capability though. :-)

...and in the context of this device, Apple would not, could not, get away with calling some of these sensors. Of course, Apple isn't a party to the conversation, the device might include 5 body condition sensors and the 5 current ones you've listed.

fingerprint is probably the only one that would not be a health sensor.

Proximity is important (to eliminate false positives... Loss of signal, sudden 2 foot drop... is he dead/ he fainting, or is he stripping down for a shower and tossing things in his bag... oh right, it's farther than 1" away from a warm blooded object (until the dog starts chewing on them)?)

If they do come out with an iWatch I hope it doesn't look anything like all of the illustrations we see. They are just plain ugly. The drawings look as bad as what we are getting from Samsung and all of the other uninspired design teams. Considering the fashion people they have hired lately I would expect mass letters of resignation (including Ive's) if they ever released a wearable that pathetic.

Oh gosh, people, look at the source. It's WSJ. After Walt left, their pundits are the same usual bunch of looneys producing same clickbaiting BS as in Forbes or Motley Fool. Usual BS that has word "Apple" in it for clicks.

Whatever Apple will do, WSJ is not the place one would get even remotely informed predictions.

Usability....price... in a market already over flooded with brands and models so much there is almost market saturation, and Apple is coming with a watch ! yeah right!

I remember years ago the Apple I-TV rumours and market speculations, the same situation on the markets as with watches, price margins and dozens of brands in all flavours.
Steve Jobs had ‘found the answer’ for breaking into this market...what happened ? Nothing!

In my opinion, at this moment Apple is surely working on some nice niche products...but an I-watch in 2014? no way ! There is simply NO demand for this and the technology is not ready yet, take batteries for ex. so much power needed to feed all this sensor-date, the most advanced tech watches like Samsung/Sony cannot hold out 24 hours, even with ‘wireless’ charging the drain is too high.

Because this is a rumour site, I make my own predictions :-)

2015 :break-thru of medical integration in more IOS devices.
2016 :possible launch of thru wearable devices with foldable OLED screens etc.and battery technology able to keep the device running for a week without disconnect of charging.
2018 - 2020 :break-thru of ‘real’ AI in IOS devices, Siri becomes more ‘human’

Just my opinion of course :-)

Disagree. Yes, there are lots of fitness bands (fitbit, jawbone, garmin,…) out there, but none of them does it right. Apple could blow them all out of the water and I have no doubt that people would pay more for a unit that does get it right. If this watch can track multiple health/fitness stats, gps your route, and send music to your headphones wirelessly via bluetooth, you've got a killer unit. They need a good way to socialize this activity too as people like to share and compare what they've done.

If the sensors were in EarPods, the functionality would be enhanced, dramatically in some respects. I believe that one of the biggest drivers of child visits to GPs in the US is ear infection. EarPods could be used to detect this using activated polymers and sense ear pressure to ensure that music isn't played too loudly - a serious concern for young people in a connected age. However, this would be an ancillary system rather than a constantly worn iWatch. Definitely a place for such capability though. :-)

I think you will see many complimentary hardware products coming to market.

Think of all the self-diegnostic tools people could use, and how this would change healthcare.